cite

¹

[sahyt]

verb (used with object)

cited, citing 

1. to quote (a passage, book, author, etc.), especially as an authority.

   He cited the Constitution in his defense.

2. to mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

   He cited many instances of abuse of power.

3. to summon officially or authoritatively to appear in court.

4. to call to mind; recall.

   citing my gratitude to him.

5. Military.,  to mention (a soldier, unit, etc.) in orders, as for gallantry.

6. to commend, as for outstanding service, hard work, or devotion to duty.

7. to summon or call; rouse to action.

cite

²

[sahyt]

noun

1. citation.

cite

/ saɪt /

verb

1. to quote or refer to (a passage, book, or author) in substantiation as an authority, proof, or example

2. to mention or commend (a soldier, etc) for outstanding bravery or meritorious action

3. to summon to appear before a court of law

4. to enumerate

   he cited the king's virtues

Other Word Forms

• citable adjective
• citeable adjective
• citer noun
• noncitable adjective
• nonciteable adjective
• uncitable adjective
• unciteable adjective
• uncited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cite¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin citāre “to hurry, set in motion, summon before a court,” frequentative of ciēre “to move, set in motion”

Origin of cite²

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of cite¹

C15: from Old French citer to summon, from Latin citāre to rouse, from citus quick, from ciēre to excite

Example Sentences

Washington has agreed to suspend for one year its latest expansion of "Entity List" export restrictions on Chinese firms, originally imposed citing national security concerns.

Read more on Barron's

Griffin relocated Citadel from Chicago to Miami a few years ago, citing crime in Chicago as a factor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The TV star, born Victoria D. Spelling, filed her petition for divorce in March 2024, citing irreconcilable differences.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Strategists have cited several reasons for why the dollar has been more slow to recover.

Read more on MarketWatch

But the most memorable characterization comes from an immunologist she cites, whose patients sometimes ask whether the foreign cells inside them are good or bad.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• allege 
• allude to www.thesaurus.com
• indicate 
• mention 
• name 
• offer 
• point out 
• present 
• recount 
• refer to www.thesaurus.com
• repeat 
• specify 
• spell out 
• tell